Parma's May Art Show

Friday, May 18th, a small group of volunteers, from the Parma Area Fine Arts Council, gathered at the Donna Smallwood Center, located at 7001 W. Ridgewood Drive. Working frantically, in three hours they installed the display screens, set up numerous tables and chairs, covered the tables with tablecloths, set up food tables, and Chinese Auction item table, all in preparation for the May 19th's art show. Additionally nearly 70 pieces of art work, created by local artists and craftsman, was dropped off, checked in, sorted, tagged, labeled and set up for display. The three judges arrived shortly thereafter and began the process of reviewing each item in the six different categories. Care was taken in order to not reveal the artists name, age or gender to the judges. Nearly two hours later the winners were revealed.

Best in Show went to Anthony DeMarco for his enamel and ceramic mask titled Flawed But Still Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses. First place in watercolor went to Marianne Legaza, second and third to Emery Bogardy. Craig Lindsley took first place in Acrylic/Oil/Mixed Media, with second and third to Kathy Kijek. Kathy Kijek won first place in Photography with second and third to Anthony DeMarco. Dominica Zampedro won first and third in Graphics, and second went to Michelle Behal. Laurie Sak won first and second in Three Dimensional, with Dominica Zampedro taking third. This year a new category was added, Fiber Arts. Fiber Arts, first and second place winner was Jane Zampedro, and Billie Branning took third. Numerous honorable mention awards were given. Cash prizes were awarded to Best In Show, all first place winners and the People's Choice Award, which went to Craig Lindsley. The People's Choice Award is voted on by the attendees to the event.

It is interesting to note that Dominica Zampedro, is a 16 year old student at Normandy High School. She entered three items in the show, and won a first, second and third place award, one for each entry. She is the daughter of Joya & Dominic Zampedro and granddaughter of Jane Zampedro, life member of Parma Fine Arts. In July of 2017, Dominica won 1st place in the adult category at the International Godzilla Fest in Chicago, for her ceramic coil pot painted in acrylic.

This annual art show is open to artists and craftsman, age 16 and up, and does not require residency. Parma Area Fine Arts Council, Inc., is a qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. They have served this area for over 50 years, offering low cost arts and crafts classes for ages 7 through senior citizens. Visit their web page www.parmafinearts.org or follow them on Facebook.